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BIG The Musical opens to rave reviews
Here's what the critics have been saying about the new West End musical.
BIG The Musical, based on the 1988 stateside comedy starring Tom Hanks, has opened in the West End to rave reviews.
Taking to the Dominion Theatre for a limited run, BIG is a joyous, heart-warming musical following the exploits of 12 year old Josh Baskin. As in the film, his wish to be an adult is granted by a mysterious Zoltar machine, seeing Josh trapped in an adult’s body and forced to live and work in a grown-up world.
Watch the trailer below:
What the critics are saying
★★★★ – “This musical’s a real whopper” – Daily Mail
★★★★ – Independent
★★★★ – The Telegraph
★★★★ – WhatsOnStage.com
“A slice of pure escapist entertainment” – WhatOnStage
“A total joy to watch” – Gay Times
The musical stars British singer-songwriter, former member of The Wanted and Strictly Come Dancing winner Jay McGuiness, who takes on the lead role of Josh Baskin. Jay originated the role at the Theatre Royal Plymouth back in 2016.
Wendi Peters, who is best known for her longstanding role as Cilla Battersby Brown in Coronation Street stars as Mrs Baskin. Wendi also plays the recurring character Cook Jenkins in Hetty Feather, and her theatre credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Grumpy Old Women Live 2 – Chin up Britain and White Christmas.
Kimberley Walsh, who first entered the public eye as one-fifth of the wildly popular girl band Girls Aloud takes on the role of Susan Lawrence. Her West End credits include starring as Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical and Jovie in Elf The Musical.
Legendary presenter Matthew Kelly plays George MacMillan. Perhaps best known for presenting TV talent show Stars in Their Eyes, Kelly’s theatre credits include Funny Peculiar, Waiting For Godot, Sign of the Times and Of Mice and Men.
BIG The Musical boasts music by David Shire and lyrics by Richard Maltby. Shire and Maltby’s other works include the Tony Award-nominated Baby.
BIG has a book by John Weidman and is directed and choreographed by Morgan Young.
The musical is based on the 1988 hit film BIG, directed by the late, great Penny Marshall and starring Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins. Notably, it was the first feature film with a female director to gross over $100 million.
It was first adapted for the stage for a Broadway run in 1996.
BIG The Musical, starring Jay McGuiness, Wendi Peters, Kimberley Walsh and Matthew Kelly is now showing at London’s Dominion Theatre, for a limited run until 2 November 2019.
Tickets for BIG The Musical are available now through Ticketmaster.co.uk.
